“Can’t this be used as a gift?” Owen asked in disbelief.
“No,” Alexander replied flatly.
“You’re ruthless!” Owen gritted out.
I just met a vampire!
If I’d known, I never would’ve agreed to pick up Alexander’s wife out of sheer curiosity.
I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to have someone pick me up at the airport.
With Alexander’s picky taste, ordinary gifts never catch his eye.
The things he likes are not only expensive but also unique.
Two gifts like that would let me come and go freely for ages!
Owen’s regret was eating him alive.
When Alexander answered the phone, Evelyn kept thinking, why does that voice sound so familiar?
Like I’ve heard it before.
It took her a moment to remember—wasn’t that the voice from the phone call she’d overheard when she first went to Alexander’s apartment?
Right, wasn’t Owen Alexander’s childhood sweetheart, the one society didn’t accept?
Is he coming back?
Is he coming back to catch the traitor?
No, no, she had nothing to do with Alexander. They were just married in name.
So why was she going to pick him up at the airport?
Was it just because she was curious about the plane?
Don’t exaggerate like that!
Did she need to explain to this Owen guy first that she really had nothing to do with Alexander?
And promise she wouldn’t steal his man?
He could rest easy staying abroad!
Well, even if he didn’t want to stay abroad and wanted to come home to reunite with Alexander, that was fine too.
She promised to keep their secret and not cause them any trouble.
“Evelyn—”
“Huh?” Evelyn snapped back to reality and stared at Alexander in surprise.
“What are you thinking about?” Alexander put down his phone and asked.
“Nothing.” Evelyn shook her head.
Alexander was a proud man with a strong ego.
If she talked to him face to face, he’d feel embarrassed.
Then she’d be on the ship, almost cut off from the world, and in danger.
“Hasn’t Owen been back to the country for a long time?” Evelyn had to change the subject.
“Depends on how you define ‘long.’ To Owen, three seasons in one day is normal. Actually, he just came back three months ago and stayed for half a month.” Alexander answered calmly.
Three months ago, stayed for half a month.
So he’d only been abroad for two and a half months!
She thought he hadn’t been back for years!
But then again, they were a young couple.
It was normal not to see each other for a day.
So more than two months felt like years. No wonder Owen was eager to come home!
“Then I’ll pick him up at the airport the day after tomorrow. What should I prepare?”
Armor? Self-defense weapon? Pepper spray would do!
“No, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Alexander raised an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, it’s better to go!” Evelyn replied softly.
If they went to school then, it would be very troublesome.
She should take precautions.
“Let Assistant Grace take you the day after tomorrow. She knows Owen.”
“Oh, good!” Evelyn nodded repeatedly.
It was good to have someone she knew. If something happened, they could persuade or protect her.
“When is the second round?” Alexander asked.
“Ah? Oh, ah...” The topic changed too fast. Evelyn didn’t react in time.
“Are you practicing your voice?” Alexander asked.
“No, it’s this Saturday.” Evelyn immediately laughed.
So Alexander could tell cold jokes too!
“Try to get on the school anniversary program list,” Alexander said.
“Huh?” Evelyn thought she’d heard wrong, staring at him blankly.
Why would she try to get into the school performance? She didn’t even want to make it to the semi-finals!
“The glory of our family depends on you.” Evelyn suddenly felt a headache.
Even if they made it into the school performance, they could be cut at any time.
And because of the school day’s special nature, many programs were serious, not like usual activities.
But making it to the semi-finals was already unexpected. She didn’t think she had the strength to make the final performance list.
After all, it was too late for them to get on the boat while they were eating.
Alexander escorted Evelyn back to the school gate and asked, “Do you need me to help you climb the wall to get in at this hour?”
Evelyn remembered when Alexander first brought her back to school, she’d teased him, and they’d climbed the wall together. Now he was teasing her back, and she felt embarrassed. “No, it’s not even eleven yet. I can come and go freely.”
Alexander found an empty spot in the car, stopped, and insisted on walking Evelyn back to the dormitory.
Evelyn said no.
Alexander insisted it wasn’t safe for her to go back alone so late.
Evelyn had to compromise and walk to school with Alexander.
Alexander didn’t walk her all the way to the girls’ dormitory. He stopped where he could see her enter the building.
“Rest early. Call me if you need anything. Assistant Grace put some money in your card. Don’t be too frugal.”
“Why are you giving me money?” Evelyn blurted out.
“Allowance.”
“I have enough to live on.” Evelyn’s face flushed as she replied softly.
“Don’t be too thrifty. Buy whatever you like. There’s nothing else, go back!” Alexander explained.
“Okay! Be careful on your way back!” Evelyn said, then turned and walked toward the dormitory.
When she reached the dormitory gate, she habitually turned around to look at Alexander.
Alexander stood under the sycamore tree not far away, tall and slender, like a painting.
Evelyn’s heart suddenly raced.
She thought of that poem—
Suddenly looking back, the man was in the dim light!
Her face burned again. She waved at Alexander, then bowed her head and walked into the dormitory.
Alexander waited until Evelyn entered the dormitory building before leaving.
Evelyn returned to the dormitory, her heart still pounding. She didn’t know if it was because of her racing heart or climbing the stairs.
But Evelyn hoped it was the latter.
Either way, she didn’t want to fall in this marriage, only to be unable to retreat.
Evelyn went back to the dormitory and took a shower.
After showering, she realized she’d already showered before going out.
Then she couldn’t help laughing at herself. It seemed she was infected by Alexander.
Hearing her phone ding with a text message, Evelyn picked it up. It was a strange number sending an MMS.
She clicked to open it and saw a coquettish man’s selfie.
It was because this man was very good-looking.
His narrow, phoenix-like eyes were charming.
Plus that smile, it seemed mesmerizing.
It wasn’t easy for a man to look like this.
Just as Evelyn was wondering if she’d made a mistake, her phone rang.
It was that strange number. “Hello—” Evelyn hesitated before answering.
“Sister-in-law, it’s me! Owen!” The voice on the other end sounded very excited.
Evelyn heard Owen call her “sister-in-law” and choked on her own saliva.
After coughing for a long time, she finally caught her breath. Then she heard Owen say, “Sister-in-law, you don’t have to be so excited to get my call!”
“Just call me by my name,” Evelyn said, very embarrassed.
“Evelyn, right? Okay! I’ll call you Evie from now on!”
Evelyn really wanted to reach through the signal and strangle Owen.
Didn’t he feel sick? She had goosebumps.
“It’s better to call me by my name!” Evelyn had to say again.
“Okay, did you get my photo?”
“That photo is yours?” Evelyn’s eyes widened.
“Yes, I just took it. It’s completely natural. No Photoshop at all. Very handsome!” Owen said narcissistically on the other end of the phone.
Evelyn was speechless.
She didn’t expect Owen to look like this.
No wonder Alexander liked him!
If she were gay, she’d be excited to see such a charming man!
Pfft, thinking too much.
“Yes... Very good-looking!” Evelyn had to force herself to answer.
“Send me your photo! So we won’t miss each other at the airport!” Owen continued.
Evelyn heard Owen ask for her photo and instinctively refused.
If Owen got her picture, he might print it out and stick needles in it every day. The thought was terrifying.
“All my photos are at home!”
“Don’t use old ones. Just take one now and send it to me!”
“My phone doesn’t have a selfie function!” Evelyn had to lie.
“No way, what era is this? People still use phones without cameras? What kind of treatment is Alexander giving you? Does he lose face when his wife uses such an outdated phone? Evelyn, don’t be sad. If Alexander won’t buy you one, I will. Which one do you like? Tell me, I’ll bring it back for you this time!”
“No, no. Even though it doesn’t have a camera, the phone itself is still very good to use!”
“Evelyn, your family lacks nothing but money. You don’t need to be so thrifty! Besides, if you don’t help him spend more, how can he be motivated to make money!”
“...” Evelyn couldn’t say a word.
“Evelyn, believe me, men can’t be spoiled or indulged. You have to spend his money so he feels a sense of achievement. Don’t be too nice to him, or he’ll get cocky. Especially for Alexander, a man who doesn’t respond to kindness or toughness, you have to show him some color!”
“Why should I show him some color? I have no grudge against him!” Evelyn asked reflexively.
“Evelyn, how can you be so naive? Men are creatures, blah blah blah...” Owen spent ten minutes explaining men, trying to convince Evelyn to accept his theory.
Unexpectedly, Evelyn suddenly said, “Aren’t you such a creature?”
Owen on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing the next second.